A View from the Hill August 6, 2025

Happy Wednesday!

Welcome to this week’s edition of:

A View from the Hill

Today is National Wiggle Your Toes Day.  So, as you read this week’s edition of A View from the Hill, sit back and enjoy the relaxation that comes from wiggling your toes.  Make sure you take care of those little piggies and don’t be like Jack Daniel (yes, that Jack Daniel, the founder of the whiskey) who died from kicking a safe. When he kicked it, he broke his toe, which got infected, and he eventually died from blood poisoning.  So, without further ado, here are this week’s goings-on:

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS:

As word of our wonderful club spreads, new members keep joining.  Join me in giving a heartfelt WELCOME to our newest members, Katya & Joseph DeMarzo Sanchez and Richard Goldstein!  Katya, Joseph, and Richard, we’re so glad to have you as part of the family.

TENNIS:

As I write this, William Schmid and Pat O'Hanlon are facing Artie and Vinny Liberatore in the Men's Doubles Final on our Red Clay Courts.  Last night Christine Burns & Patty Cecere became our Women’s Doubles Champions defeating Claire Miko & Vicky Sturner.

Our tennis league teams enter the final stretch of the season. MITL LOVE 50 team suffered a tough loss to Armonk last week but hope to rebound Tuesday (8-12) at Apawamis.  MCTL Seniors defeated Chestnut Ridge last week to move into a tie for third in their division.  They face off in an away match Sunday (8-10) at Amackassin.

The courts have been in great shape this season and I have seen many of you out there enjoying the nice weather and friendly competition.  Once again, our Sunday Round Robin Fun Tournament is set for this weekend.  No need to reserve a spot, just bring your racquet and your smile to the club on Sunday at 4:00PM to enjoy time with fellow members on the court.  And as always, use the tennis reservation sheet to reserve a court or look for a game.

POOL:

The pool continues to be open every day (Sunday–Thursday, 11:00AM to 7:00PM and Friday & Saturday, 11:00AM to 8:00PM).  As you know, today is National Wiggle Your Toes Day, but did you know that the first shoes date back to circa 8,000 B.C. and were made of sagebrush bark.  No, you don’t have to wear shoes in the pool area, but outside the pool  area, shoes (and shirts) are required (and no need to get some sagebrush bark, Nikes will be just fine).

Almost in view, Pool Volleyball is about to make its debut at Park Hill.  Get ready to jump in, splash around and spike some serious fun.  We are hosting Pool Volleyball on Thursdays starting 8/14 (that is next week, not this week) from 7pm-8pm.  Everyone is invited, no RSVP necessary.

FRIDAY POTLUCK BBQ:

This week’s Friday Potluck BBQ is being hosted by Amy King and Steve Ross.  And "Sufferin' succotash" if it won’t feature this duo’s famous combination of Grilled Shrimp Skewers & Succotash.  The grilling starts at 7:00PM and there is no truth to the rumor that Sylvester the Cat will be making an appearance.  While Sylvester was famous for uttering “suffering succotash” in exasperation, the name succotash is derived from the Narragansett word sahquttahhash, which means "broken corn kernels".  There will of course be the old staples of hamburgers (and cheeseburgers) and hot dogs, not to mention the always delicious members’ sides and desserts.

PHRC GIVING BACK:

Please join in supporting "Run it Back", a student-run organization looking to raise awareness of the toxic effects of sneakers in landfills and encouraging folks to start recycling, rather than discard their old sneakers.  This project is part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund.  We will be collecting used sneakers in the marked box on the porch where they will be sent to a sneaker recycling service and thereby bypass landfills.  Also, don't forget to recycle your used tennis balls too (bin on porch).

SYLVIA RETURNS:

There is a saying in the Park Hill Players, that “the play is not over until the Viewing Party”.  This coming Tuesday (8-11) at 7:30PM there will be a screening of the PHP’s production of A. R. Gurney’s Sylvia.  Join the talented cast of the PHP’s production of Sylvia as they watch for the first time, what hundreds of club members and fans enjoyed live.  No need to RSVP. Just stop on by and become part of this Park Hill Players’ tradition.

MEMBERS’ LOUNGE:

The extended Lounge hours continue with the Members’ Lounge open Monday thru Thursday 3:00PM to 9:00PM, Friday 3:00PM to 11:00PM, Saturday 1:00PM to 9:00PM, and Sunday Noon to 9:00PM.  As we enter the second week of August, not only does the heat start to get us, it is also the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year.  Although few of any of these meteors reach the ground (where they would then be called meteorites) why not play it safe and take shelter in our air-conditioned Members’ Lounge and enjoy a cool beverage.

That is it for this week’s edition of The View from the Hill.  As always, please reach out to PHRCView@gmail.com with any comments, corrections, or suggestions you might have.  I love hearing from you.  Hope to see you around the Club,

The ViewMaster